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Off-road trip renews faith in mankind
A lot of people think there are two kinds of luck - good and bad. I have got bad luck in getting myself into stupid or miserable situations.
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Theater briefs
Dance Like No One's Watching BoarsHead Professional Theater will be roaring into 2004 with its first production, "Dance Like No One's Watching" by Kitty Dubin, on Thursday.
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'Jawbreaker' isn't as hard as it claims
The newest album by local rockers 19 Wheels has greatly confused me. "Jawbreaker" is a release with good intentions, but the lack of originality on the album, as well as the overwhelming feeling that the group is made up of very talented rock musicians who are forced to play pop, keeps the band from reaching its full potential. To me, at least, this band, while talented, sounds just like all the other bands I've heard coming out with new material recently. Basically, the problem with the album is it sounds as if, deep down, 19 Wheels wants to rock hard, but something is holding them back. The music sounds good, it really does.
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New releases
BLUES "A Fix Back East," Tarbox Ramblers, Rounder Records. This group of Boston natives has the energy of a punk band, but is mostly influenced by blues, gospel and Americana.
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'Win Date' obvious, sap-filled love story
Let's be fair here. "Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!" is a date movie. Re: a chick movie to the fullest extent.
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Gordy gives new life to D-Town rap, hip-hop
King Gordy is very blunt. As a very proud pothead, he shows that he just wants Detroit and the music world to love him. All of this is pretty much unavoidable, since the dramatic rapper has such a huge following in the Motor City.
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Vanderslice opens 'Cellar Door' to eclectic sound
San Francisco's indie-rock hero, John Vanderslice, spent 420 hours recording his latest release, "Cellar Door." Vanderslice's music is somewhat reminiscent of early David Bowie recordings, with heavy electronic new-wave influence in the rhythm section of the album.
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Oprah book group to discuss Paton's novel
An Oprah Winfrey reading group will discuss Alan Paton's novel, "Cry, The Beloved Country" on Tuesday. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 333 E.
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'Butterfly Effect' can't fault Kutcher, only plot concept
"The Butterfly Effect" is a movie I really wanted to like, really. Movies dealing with the space-time continuum - and the idea that going back and changing something small could change everything - are typically fascinating.
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Appraisers help place value of local items
Lansing residents will be able to put a price on their family heirlooms on Tuesday. Appraisers Bill Triola and Gordon Bloomer will help people discover the value in their collections, to determine whether it's junk or a priceless collectable.
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NASCAR news races into library meeting
Terry Fitzwater, a publisher for Michigan Racing Scene, will give a speech about life on the fast lane.
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Upcoming concerts
January: 28: Ani DiFranco at The State Theatre in Kalamazoo 28: Elastic Eight Track, Summersault and Those Transatlantics at Mac's Bar, 2700 E.
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'Migration' only looks at basics, ignores questions
Geese used to fly over my front yard by the thousands. They would show up year after year, as if following some North American turnpike in the sky.
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Pottery store allows play
Stressed out and running out of clean dishes? An Okemos store offers a way to kill time, express creativity, relax and construct cute, homemade bowls and cups. Nestled inside 4750 Central Park Drive in Okemos, Art Unlimited is an outlet for people itching to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, pull out their paintbrushes and exercise their artistic muscles. "It's kind of fun to go here before an exam, or any time would be good for a first date," said Anne O'Connor, owner of the year-old studio.
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Hungover
Oh, the power of the hangover. The pounding headache, the queasy stomach, the dizziness, the extreme sensitivity to light and sound, and the general overwhelming feeling of regret - all part of nature's punishment for having a little too much fun the night before. Although most people know that drinking in moderation is best, many get caught up in the moment and can't resist the temptation to tip back a few too many with close friends.
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Basket weaving on display at Hall of Fame
The work of Zulu basket weavers will be on display in The Michigan Women's Historical Center & Hall of Fame beginning Jan.
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Frandor is more than a strip mall
During my freshman year, I remember overhearing people talk about the small mall off of Michigan Avenue. When I first visited it, I thought, "This is it?
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'Polly' came along with old story line, predictable Stiller
Ben Stiller might have pigeonholed himself. In film after film, the comedian plays a likable loser with a streak of bad luck as horrible situations bombard his attempts to win over a love interest. Such is "Along Came Polly" where Stiller plays Reuben, a risk analyst for an insurance agency who is dumped on his honeymoon and vies for the affection of Polly (Jennifer Aniston). Polly is the polar opposite of Reuben's high-strung, risk-free character - she's spontaneous, she's flaky (see also: inexplicably stupid) and she's fun.
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Alumnus makes short-lived appearance on 'Apprentice'
An MSU alumnus is once again caught in the reality television spotlight. Jason Curis, 24, graduated with a degree in advertising in 2001 and was in the running with 15 other businessmen and women for a year-long position at one of Donald Trump's companies on NBC's "The Apprentice." He follows Bob Guiney, a 1993 graduate who starred in ABC's "The Bachelor" and was a contestant on "The Bachelorette." Curis was "fired" by Donald Trump during the second episode of the highest-rated reality show because he was the leader of the men's team, VERSACORP, that again failed to surpass the business tactics of the women's team, PROTÉGÉ. "Trump is trump and does whatever he wants," Curis said. Hired or fired, Curis still believes he'll be as rich as Donald Trump some day. As a young entrepreneur, Curis already owns his own property-management company, JMG Management, with which he holds more than 39 properties. "I learned, first of all, do what you love to do," Curis said with confidence.